The excitement surrounding football in Australia continues this week as the Australia Cup 2023 Round of 16 gets underway.
Australia's largest annual knockout sporting competition is coming down to the pointy end with eight highly anticipated matches taking place in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria from August 26 to 30.
A total of 775 clubs from across Australia competed in the Australia Cup 2023 Qualifying Rounds before the unpredictable Round of 32 concluded last week, resulting in some amazing scenes across local venues as underdogs shattered expectations and teams fought to keep their Australia Cup dreams alive.
Aside from holding aloft the Australia Cup, the tournament winner may be eligible to represent Football Australia in 24/25 AFC Club Competitions once slot allocations, entry requirements and eligibility criteria are determined.
The successful teams from the Australia Cup 2023 Round of 16 will next advance into the Quarter Finals with the ultimate goal of playing in October's Final within reach.
The Australia Cup 2023 Round of 16 opens with a replay of last year's Semi-Final between Sydney United 58 FC (Football NSW) and Brisbane Roar FC. Sydney United 58 FC triumphed over the Isuzu UTE A-League Men's side to advance into the 2022 Final, setting the stage for an exciting clash to start proceedings.
Two Isuzu UTE A-League Men's sides are guaranteed to depart this year's Cup, with Melbourne City FC playing Wellington Phoenix FC, before the Western Sydney Wanderers FC take on Adelaide United FC.
The tournament's landscape transformed when Member Federation club Campbelltown City SC (Football SA) dispatched the reigning Winners, Macarthur FC, 2-1, during the Round of 32. The South Australian based side now take on the Melbourne Knights FC (Football VIC) who are appearing in their first Australia Cup Final Rounds since 2019.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (Football NSW) will host three-time Australia Cup Quarter Finalists Heidelburg United FC (Football VIC) at Popondetta Park, NSW, after qualifying for their first-ever Australia Cup Round of 16 appearance.
The action concludes on Wednesday 30 August with an exciting Sydney Derby at Leichhardt Oval, where APIA Leichhardt FC (Football NSW) will lock horns with 2017 Cup Winners, Sydney FC, who progressed after a dramatic penalty shootout against Central Coast Mariners FC in the last round.
All Australia Cup 2023 Final Rounds matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE on 10 Play, with thanks to Football Australia's Broadcast Partner, Paramount ANZ.
AUSTRALIA CUP 2023 ROUND OF 16 MATCH PREVIEWS
Sydney United 58 FC (Football NSW) v Brisbane Roar FC
Venue: Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park, NSW
Date: Saturday, 26 August
Kick Off: 2:00pm AEST
Sydney United 58 FC will be looking to continue their goal-scoring ways following a comfortable 2-goal victory in their Round of 32 match, Brisbane Roar FC who narrowly avoided defeat coming from behind twice to claim a 3-2 victory.
Melbourne City FC v Wellington Phoenix FC
Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh, VIC
Date: Sunday, 27 August
Kick Off: 2:00pm AEST
Melbourne City FC avoided a major upset courtesy of a 90th-minute goal against Oakleigh Cannons FC (Football VIC) to progress through to the next stage and face a tough task against Wellington Phoenix FC who were pushed all the way to extra time against Peninsula Power (Football QLD).
Melbourne Knights FC (Football VIC) v Campbelltown City SC (Football SA)
Venue: Knights Stadium, Sunshine North, VIC
Date: Tuesday, 29 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
After shocking defending Cup winners, Macarthur FC to progress into the Round of 16, Campbelltown City SC (Football SA) will have their sights set on the Quarter Finals when they travel to Knights Stadium to take on the Melbourne Knights FC who scored four goals in their Round of 32 appearance against Lions FC (Football QLD).
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Adelaide United FC
Venue: Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park, NSW
Date: Tuesday, 29 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
In this Isuzu UTE A-League Men blockbuster, the Western Sydney Wanderers host 3-time Australia Cup Winners Adelaide United after both sides progressed into the Round of 16 with comprehensive victories over Floreat Athena FC (Football WA) and Northcote City FC (Football VIC) respectively.
MetroStars (Football SA) v Inter Lions FC (Football NSW)
Venue: TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig, SA
Date: Tuesday, 29 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST, 7:00pm local
After advancing into the Round of 16 for the second time in their history following a big 5-goal victory over Inglewood United FC (Football West), MetroStars face Inter Lions FC (Football NSW) who have qualified for the Round of 16 in their first-ever appearance in the Final Rounds of the Australia Cup after defeating Hellenic Athletic Club (Football NT) in Darwin.
APIA Leichhardt FC (Football NSW) v Sydney FC
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield, NSW
Date: Wednesday, 30 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
NSW NPL powerhouse APIA Leichhardt FC progress through to the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive season but now face a stern test in the form of Isuzu UTE A-League Men heavyweights Sydney FC who were pushed to their limits in a thrilling penalty shootout against the Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32.
Gold Coast Knights FC (Football QLD) v Western United FC
Venue: Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara, QLD
Date: Wednesday, 30 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
Western United FC Head Coach, John Aloisi masterminded a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Edgeworth Eagles FC (Northern NSW Football) in the Round of 32 and now face Gold Coast Knights FC outfit (Football QLD) who are playing in their third Australia Cup final rounds appearance.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (Football NSW) v Heidelberg United FC (Football VIC)
Venue: Popondetta Park, Emerton, NSW
Date: Wednesday, 30 August
Kick Off: 7:30pm AEST
The Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC (Football NSW) will play in their first-ever Australia Cup Round of 16 match when they meet three-time Australia Cup Quarter Finalists Heidelberg United FC (Football VIC), who are competing in the Final Rounds for the fifth time.
